Slow Boat From China

I depart Beijing today, a few days early from the fair. My appointments are done and the lure of a labor day to recoup from my travels won out over another day of meetings......

Last evening I chatted with Jane Friedman about their efforts in China during a cocktail reception hosted by Harper Collins. The first of the Chinese classics they are publishing in the U.S. won't hit shelves until winter 2009. When I asked why, she said it's Chinese. They plan to earnestly translate the works and not rush the process. However Harper's plans are again indicative of style of U.S. publishing efforts in China; slow, small, scant revenue. But the Harper flag is firmly planted and relationships are developing. Nevertheless, patience only lasts for so long and its clear that Harper's (and every other pub as well) has hopes that the government will change it's policy against foreign publishers publishing direct and I'm sure the lobbying efforts will match it.

Also had a good talk with my friend Cyrus from Simon's international sales department. He indicated that he's done more direct selling this year than in years past. This is unusual as all books sold into China must go through one of only a few importers/distributors. Cyrus stated that retailers are meeting with and buying from S and S direct and the importers are simply rubber stamping the orders. Another quirk and end around the quirk of doing business in China.

Speaking of end around, I had a great night on the rooftop patio of the Bookworm Bookstore last night. It's an amazing store that Alexandra Pearson has built by creatively bringing English language books into the country. It is truly an Ex Pat haven stocked mostly with books for loan, a growing section of new books, bar, cafe and amazing rooftop patio. It was a perfect night in Beijing and even the moon made a rare appearance through the smog. I met a number of filmmakers, writers, translators, music producers from native lands like the UK, New Zealand, U.S. Canada and so forth living in Beijing for varying and crazy reasons.

As I was preparing to leave the Bookworm party, Neil Gaiman joined us on the roof and I slowed my departure to chat with him. He was in China for a sci fi convention where he spoke to about 5,000 fans and also indicated that he came to Beijing to support Harper's presence. We have a friend in common so we talked about China, BEA, bookstores and rabid fans (one of my booksellers in St. Paul had made it his life goal to that date to host Gaiman at our bookstore - which never happened but Gaiman pointed out his pub always made him go to Barnes and Noble against his wishes).

Gaiman had blogged before his trip that he'd be in Beijing and wanted to visit the Bookworm. Apparently fans had lined up expecting him yesterday only to learn he had not planned an official visit. So he was trying to track down the fans to send them signed books. He even called one of the fans on her mobile at the airport and talked with her for 10 minutes. I've met a lot of authors and few care about their fans as much as Neal. Cool stuff and a great last night in Beijing.
I'm happy to be heading home but will miss the energy, possibility and sheer discovery that Beijing (and China as a whole) offers. There is so much to learn about doing business in this country for publishers and the challenge is equal parts invigorating and maddening - not a dissimilar feeling I have about our little business in the U.S.

After a 14 hour flight and time change, I'll be back in New York in two hours. Cheeseburger on the grill and a cold beer in Borwalk by 10pm doesn't sound too bad right now.....

Bye from Beijing,

- L

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